Diamonds are a girl’s – or rapper or baller’s – best friend; this we know. But, these precious stones are also at the core of some of the greatest atrocities known to man. “Blood diamonds” or conflict diamonds, as they are called, are diamonds mined in war zones and then used to fund violent militias; they’re most common in Africa, where about two thirds of the world’s diamonds are produced. As governments and organizations around the world have become more of ‘blood diamonds’ and the roles they play in war, actions have been taken to limit their appearance in the market place. We too can, and should, do our part to make sure any bling we might buy is conflict free.
For three years, former Liberian president Charles Taylor has been on trial for, among other things, sex trafficking, murder, and recruiting and using child soldiers. Taylor allegedly used blood diamonds to fund these crimes. The case has attracted international media attention and has even involved testimony from international supermodel Naomi Campbell who received blood diamonds from Taylor’s men in 1997.
Taylor’s case is important because it illustrates very clearly the destruction and terror that blood diamonds, once they’re sold – can bring. Thankfully, much has been done around the world to try to curtail the trading of these stones. In 2001, the U.S. passed laws that prevented rough diamonds from Sierra Leone and Liberia from being imported into the country. In 2003, the Clean Diamond Trade Act was passed and signaled the U.S.’s participation in The Kimberley Process. Started in 2000, The Kimberley Process is a UN mandated certification system that prevents conflict diamonds from entering the marketplace. Today, over 99 percent of all diamonds certified through process are from conflict free sources.
Though this is an impressive fete, a tiny number of blood diamonds are still sold – knowingly or unknowingly – by jewelers, usually small, independents sellers. Ask your jeweler or reseller to provide documentation certifying the diamonds are conflict free. If they cannot do that, look for another jeweler. This seemingly small action is a big step in helping shutting down the blood diamond market and, hopeful, bringing an end to these unthinkable acts of torture.
I totally support this at least do it for the children so they wont be exploited or forced to go to war.